A HEALTHY YOU
September is National Recovery Month
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) observes National Recovery Month every September to promote and support new evidence-based treatment and recovery practices, the strong and proud recovery community, and the dedication of service providers and communities who make recovery in all its forms possible. SAMHSA aims to increase public awareness surrounding mental health and addiction recovery.
Prescription drug misuse, including non-medical use, is a serious problem for employees and workplaces in the United States. Studies conducted by the National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence, have shown that 70% of the 14.8 million Americans suffering from addiction are employed, with an alarming 24% of employees surveyed admitting to drinking on the job at least once.
The impacts of substance misuse on the workplace are many – from decreased productivity, increased physical injuries due to accidents, and increased fatalities, to absenteeism and unproductive relations between coworkers. For employers, it’s important to address drug and alcohol misuse in the workplace before it gets out of control.
SAMHSA provides a wealth of support for employees. Found on their website at www.samhsa.gov, the SAMHSA Employee Assistance Prescription Drug Tool- Kit and Fact Sheets are helpful for employers and EAPs seeking educational materials, workplace awareness and relapse prevention information.
Another resource is the Healthy People 2030 Drug and Alcohol Use website. Healthy People 2030 focuses on preventing drug and alcohol misuse and helping people with substance use disorders get the treatment they need. Recovery from substance misuse is possible with the right resources and support systems in place.